Hypnic headache in a young patient (35 years old): a rare entity
Keywords:
Hypnic headache, Primary Headache, Headache DisordersAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Hypnic Headache (HH), known as "Alarm Clock Headache," is a rare primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes that predominantly occur during nighttime sleep. Initially described by Raskin, who reported six cases over nine years, the condition was initially noted to be more prevalent in men. However, current evidence suggests a higher prevalence in women. Though typically associated with patients over 50, there are reports of its occurrence in younger individuals. OBJECTIVE: This case report aims to document and describe the clinical presentation, management, and treatment response of a young patient with HH. The case is significant due to the patient's relatively young age and the intensity and frequency of nocturnal headache episodes. The effective treatment response highlights a promising therapeutic approach for similar cases, enhancing clinical understanding and personalized management of HH in younger patients. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old female smoker with mild depression has experienced recurrent episodes of headache awakening her from sleep for approximately 14 months. The headaches are diffuse, non-pulsatile, moderate to severe in intensity, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, and resolve spontaneously. There are no associated autonomic changes or focal neurological signs on general, neurological, or imaging examinations (MRI and CT). Treatment with lithium carbonate and melatonin resulted in a significant improvement of approximately 90% in pain intensity within 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing HH in younger patients, where the condition may be less common but equally impactful on quality of life. Further studies are essential to expand our understanding of this rare neurological condition and explore additional therapeutic options. This report aims to provide valuable insights into the clinical presentation and effective management of HH in younger patients.
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Lindner D, Scheffler A, Nsaka M, Holle-Lee D. Hypnic Headache - What do we know in 2022? Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache [Internet]. 2023 DOI: 10.1177/03331024221148659 PMID: 36786376
Liang JF, Wang SJ. Hypnic headache: A review of clinical features, therapeutic options and outcomes. Cephalalgia. 2014 Jun DOI: 10.1177/0333102414537914 PMID: 24942086
Lanteri-Minet M. Hypnic Headache. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2014 Sep DOI: 10.1111/head.12447 PMID: 25231430
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Copyright (c) 2024 Sabrina Borges Batista, Amauri Pereira da Silva Filho, Danielle Cortellazzi Colonna Romano, Gabriela Yumi Nakamura, Melissa Viledela Fernandes Freitas, Natália Rebeca Alves de Araújo Karpejany, Taianara Sampaio Reis (Author)
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